The Department of Civil Engineering and Construction offers undergraduate programs in both civil engineering (B.S.C.E.) and construction (B.S.C.).

Mission

Produce graduates who possess a keen awareness of the national and global dimensions of the construction industry, leadership skills required to serve our society, and the technical knowledge to pursue multiple career paths including advanced degrees. To achieve our mission, the Construction program will strive to achieve the following objectives:

Leadership in Construction. Graduates understand the need for teamwork, communication, skills, integrity, good citizenship, and service. They have the needed knowledge to become leaders in the construction industry.

Professional Achievement. Graduates have the needed understanding of ethical responsibilities, certification, the necessity for continuing education, and contemporary issues required for placement and career advancement.

Globalization. Offer programs to ensure that graduates have the needed awareness of global construction issues and cultures to help them thrive in an emerging world market.

Industry Partnerships. Partner with the construction profession to offer an innovative program that promotes cultural diversity and responds to the needs of the profession and society in the areas of sustainability, infrastructure, and emerging technology.

The Department

Facilities

The curriculum is supported by 14 cutting-edge laboratory and computer facilities equipped with modern hardware and software. Laboratories include multimedia, emerging technologies, fluid mechanics/hydraulics, surveying, concrete design, asphalt pavement design, construction, structural, geotechnical, estimating, design projects, machine shop, and a research laboratory. The department has four computer laboratories, completely networked with printers, plotters, and scanners. Two of the computer laboratories are project laboratories used for senior capstone courses. Laptops are also available to students for senior project courses. The computers have a wide range of software, including multimedia software such as Authorware and Toolbook, Autocad 2000, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, SAP 2000, Working Model (a simulation program), word processing, spreadsheets, Powerpoint, database management programs, etc. The computer facilities are available to CEC students on a 24-hour basis.

Internationalization

The Global Explorer Program is designed to expand the professional capabilities, stimulate intellectual growth, and broaden the personal perspective of all participants. Arrangements have been made with universities around the world to send our students overseas either for short courses, a semester, or an entire year. The department is committed to giving all of our students the opportunity to study overseas. Students with financial need have received financial support that enables them to study abroad for equal to or less than what it would cost to study on campus. Financial aid is available to students choosing to study for a semester or a year overseas at another institution. Since 1995, close to 250 students have studied overseas. Each year, more than 30 students go to England, Denmark, and Egypt to study under the guidance of CEC faculty.

Scholarships

Currently more than 40 annual and endowed scholarships are available to students through the department.

Placement

For 11 years, until 2009, CEC graduates have had a 100% placement, with starting salaries that are very competitive nationwide. Employers perceive our students as having the knowledge, experience, and intellectual curiosity to succeed in their profession.

Leadership

A focus of the department is the development of leadership skills in our students. Students are encouraged to participate in student professional organizations and academic honorary organizations by being officers or committee chairs. Leadership skills are also developed through service and outreach programs that teach good citizenship. Our students have designed and built playgrounds and running tracks and have done work for Women’s Strength, and the South Side Mission. Many of our students, both in civil engineering and construction, participate in the outstanding “Bridge Pal” program designed to foster an interest in engineering by high school and grade school students.

Faculty Qualifications

The faculty have published more textbooks than any other civil engineering or construction department of a similar size in the United States. These textbooks are used at a large number of highly regarded institutions. CEC faculty have received numerous awards for teaching excellence and scholarship, as well as for their professional contributions. They have conducted research for national, state, and local sponsors, benefitting society and our students.

Graduation

To graduate, students must meet all university and college graduation requirements. Additionally, CE students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.25 in civil engineering courses to graduate.

Graduate Program

In addition to the undergraduate program described above, the Department offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree. Details of this program may be found in the Graduate Catalog. The graduate program allows talented undergraduate students to engage in scholarly research activities and to enroll in advanced courses to meet their special interests and needs.

Construction

The construction industry is large, varied, and complex. It is intimately interwoven with, and exerts significant influence on, the overall economy of our nation. Constructors—the modern construction professionals—are educated in engineering and architectural principles in the building process, allowing effective communication with the many persons with whom contact is necessary: the design professionals (engineers and architects), specialty subcontractors, manufacturers and distributors of construction materials and products, financiers and others. Additionally, and most importantly, the constructor is a manager. The constructor’s education must include the essentials of contemporary management philosophy, sound business and construction practice, emerging trends in sustainable development, and enlightened human relations. This multidisciplinary curriculum has been developed from these aims which are in consonance with the goals of the Associated Schools of Construction, and with the philosophy of the American Institute of Constructors.

The program described below was developed for the typical student interested in general preparation for a construction career. A minor in business administration or management is possible by careful selection of electives and a total of 131 semester hours.

The Bachelor of Science in Construction (BSC) degree requires a minimum of 127 approved semester hours. (Courses taken to remove deficiencies, e.g., MTH 109, MTH 110, and PHY 100, must be taken in addition to the approved 127 semester hours.)

Degree Requirements

1See Gen. Ed. list in the Schedule of Classes each semester.2 Electives must be chosen from list available from the academic advisor.

Accreditation criteria are met by the following groups of courses:

Group I—General Education

1 ENG 101 English Composition 3

1ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3

1COM 103 Oral Communication Process 3

1Western Civilization 3

1Non-Western Civilization 3

1Human Values 3

1Fine Arts 3

21 hours

Group II—Mathematics and Science

1MTH 115 or 121 Calculus I 4

MTH 116 or 122 Calculus II 3, 4

1PHY 107 or 110 Physics I 4

2Computer Programming Elective 3

2Science Elective 4

18-19 hours

Group III—Business Management

1ECO 221 Microeconomics 3

1ECO 222 Macroeconomics 3

ATG 157 Accounting-Financial 3

ATG 158 Accounting-Managerial 3

BMA 342 The Legal Environment of Business 3

BMA 352 Business Management 3

2Business Electives 6

24 hours

Group IV—Construction Science

CE 124 Emerging Technologies in CEC 2

CON 132 Construction Graphics 2

CON 262 Mechanical and Electrical Systems 3

CON 270 Materials and Methods of Construction 3

CON 487 Steel and Concrete 3

CON 489 Alternate Materials 3

CE 150 or IMT 222 Statics 3

CE 206 Surveying 2

CE 224 AutoCADD 3

CE 270 or IMT 324 Strength of Materials 3, 4

CON 320 Introductory Soil Mechanics 3

30-31 hours

Group V—Construction Management

CON 100 Introduction to Construction 1

CON 342 Construction Equipment and Methods 3

CON 356 Construction Industry Safety Practices 3

CON 372 Construction Methods Improvement 3

CON 392 Construction Scheduling 3

CON 396 Construction Estimating 3

CON 492 Construction Contracts 2

CON 493 Senior Project Planning 1

CON 498 Senior Project 3

22 hours

Minimum semester hours required for BSC Degree 127

Areas of Emphasis

Students may choose to take their electives in one of the following areas of emphasis.

Internationalization

Students take two courses through the CEC Department Global Explorer Program and/or Bradley's Study Abroad program and take an approved semester abroad.